It depends entirely on their individual policies. Some will sue for $500 in small claims court, some have a much higher threshold like $2500. If you have a very low FICO score, are unemployed, and have few assets they may not sue regardless of the amount.
For most debt collection agencies, suing for very small amounts is not economically viable. While specific thresholds vary among agencies and jurisdictions, certain principles generally apply. Typically, agencies may set a minimum threshold, often around $500 to $1,000, below which they are unlikely to sue.
There's no standard amount or specific percentage a debt collector may settle for because several variables come into play. The amount you settle for could depend on your financial situation and the age of the debt. Also, policies vary among debt collection agencies.
The FDCPA prohibits debt collection agencies from collecting interest, fees, charges, or expenses on the debt unless that amount is expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law.
The decision to sue often depends on the debt's size (usually a minimum of $1,000), age, and original agreements. Debt collection practices for unpaid credit card balances frequently lead to court cases. If sued and found liable, you may face additional costs through interest and fees.
In conclusion, although no legal minimum debt for collection exists, practical considerations such as cost-effectiveness, debt type and size, ease of communication, data-driven decisions, creditor policies, and legal requirements shape the realities of debt recovery.
Summary: Generally, debt collection agencies won't sue over debts less than $500, but it isn't unheard of.
FICO 8, which is used in most credit decisions, does penalize paid collections. The newer FICO 9 model does not. Smaller debt amounts: "Nuisance accounts," or collections for debts originally under $100, are disregarded for scoring purposes in FICO 8 and all FICO models introduced since.
While smaller debts are less likely to result in legal action, there are no guarantees. In many cases, though, debt collectors will prioritize larger debts, as they offer a higher return on the time and legal fees associated with a lawsuit.
Some will only settle for 75-80% of the total amount; others will settle for as a little as 33%. Looking for a place to set the bar? The American Fair Credit Counsel reports the average settlement amount is 48% of the balance. Again, start low, knowing the debt collector will start high.
Paying a debt in full is better than settling a debt
You'll also save money. Settling the debt eliminates future interest and reduces the amount you'll repay to the lender. When you settle a debt, the creditor or debt collector will typically report the account as settled for less than what you owed.
collectors can sue you while you're in debt resolution—but some debt resolution companies may provide help. Lawsuits are filed for about 15% of collection accounts. Debts may still be negotiated after a lawsuit has been filed.
Speak to the Debt Collector
This is your chance to explain your situation and detail your plan to settle your debt. Remember, debt collection agencies most likely bought your debt for pennies on the dollar and could be more agreeable to a partial repayment or payment plan than your original creditor.
Most consumer debts will “expire” after three to six years, meaning a creditor or debt collector can no longer sue you for them. You're still responsible for paying old debts, but waiting until the statute of limitations runs out might help you avoid future legal issues.
“The logic there,” says FICO's Tom Quinn, “is that for small dollar amounts, like a collection notice from a public library system, the (credit scoring) model will now bypass those and not consider those to be negative. Any kind of derogatory public information that's less than $100” will be excluded, Quinn adds.
Can debt collectors sue you? Typically, debt collectors will only pursue legal action when the amount owed is in excess of $5,000, but they can sue for less. “If they do sue, you need to show up at court,” says Lewis-Parks.
The phrase in question is: “Please cease and desist all calls and contact with me, immediately.” These 11 words, when used correctly, can provide significant protection against aggressive debt collection practices.
Do You Have to Pay Debt Collectors? Yes, if a debt collector has contacted you about a legitimate debt, you are legally obligated to pay it. However, it's essential first to verify that the debt is yours and the amount is correct.
Consumers are well-protected when it comes to debt collection. One of the most rigorous rules in their favor is the 7-in-7 rule. This rule states that a creditor must not contact the person who owes them money more than seven times within a 7-day period.
A collection on a debt of less than $100 shouldn't affect your score at all, but anything over $100 could cause a big drop. In many cases, it doesn't even matter how much it is if it's over $100.
Debt collection agencies are often asked if there's a minimum invoice value that makes chasing a debtor worthwhile. The answer is generally 'no', so it's really up to you whether you want to take things further when the amount involved is small.